News / Palestine

Israel forces shoot dead Palestinian fisherman off Gaza coast

Saturday, 07 March 2015 1:24 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 07 March 2015 1:30 PM ]

Palestinian fishermen collect their catch off the coast of Gaza (AFP photo).

Israeli forces have gunned down a Palestinian fisherman off the coast of the Gaza Strip, a spokesman for the Palestinian Health Ministry says.

The 32-year-old Palestinian man died at hospital in Gaza City after the Israeli naval forces fired at him and two other fishermen who were in the same boat on Saturday, Ashraf al-Qudra said.

According to the spokesman, the two other fishermen were arrested by Israeli forces.

The Israeli army has not yet commented on the shooting.

Under a ceasefire agreement reached in 2014, Israel agreed to immediately expand the fishing zone off Gaza's coast, allowing fishermen to sail as far as six nautical miles off the shore. The agreement also stipulated that Israel would expand the area gradually up to 12 miles.

Palestinian fishermen, however, say that the Israeli navy opens fire before they reach the agreed limit.

The Israeli military acts have significantly damaged Gaza’s fishing industry.

Around 4,000 fishermen work in Gaza, with more than half of them living below the poverty line.

The Gaza Strip has been under Israel’s blockade since June 2007. The blockade has caused a decline in the standard of living as well as unprecedented levels of unemployment, and unrelenting poverty.

AR/HMV/SS

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